Recent Progress in Carbon-based Materials of Non-Noble Metal Catalysts for ORR in Acidic Environment

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has important implications for the success of clean transportation in future. One key factors affecting cost and performance PEMFC is cathode electrocatalyst oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to overcome sluggish kinetics instability an acidic environment. As essential component electrocatalyst, support material largely determines activity, mass transfer, charge durability electrocatalyst. Thereby, plays a critical role overall Carbon-based materials are widely used as supports because their high porosity, conductivity, chemical stability, tunable morphology. Recently, some new carbon-based with excellent structure have been introduced, such carbon nanotubes, nanowires, graphene, metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon, biomass-derived materials. Combined variety strategies, controllable construction porous structures surface defects, proper doping heteroatoms, ingenious design model electrocatalysts, predictive theoretical calculation, reliable path was provided further improving electrocatalysts exploring catalytic mechanism. Based on topic ORR medium, this review summarizes up-to-date progress breakthroughs, highlights activity stability acids, discusses future application development.